Woodcreek answers Del Oro's equalizer, wins SFL opener

Philip Wood/Roseville Press TribuneWoodcreek pulled out a 3-2 victory over Del Oro to open Sierra Foothill League play Thursday night in Loomis.

LOOMIS — Under the lights and into the drama went Woodcreek High School’s boys soccer team Thursday night, as the Timberwolves pulled out a 3-2 victory over Del Oro to open Sierra Foothill League play.

Night games at Del Oro always provide intense matches, and sophomore Brendan Allen gave Woodcreek the advantage by netting two goals in the first half toward a 2-1 lead. Captain Christopher Debelle’s free kick in the 63rd minute erased Del Oro’s equalizing goal in the 60th. Senior Chantz Risse was the home-team hero for all of three minutes before Debelle’s nearly 40-yard strike.

“It got us going, but it was my teammates who did the work,” said Allen, who scored his third and fourth goals of the season. “I happened to be in position.”

His goals proved all the more dramatic as yellow cards were handed out to each team in the last 20 minutes.

Sophomore Wes Martinson finished a cross for Del Oro’s first goal in the 39th minute. It was Martinson’s fourth goal this season and Risse’s second. The Golden Eagles’ chances in the second half came on 11 shots to Woodcreek’s six. The Timberwolves managed one shot in the first 20 minutes of the second half.

Goalkeeper Mitchell Brill made eight saves, including consecutive stops when his defense failed to clear the ball early.

Risse’s tying goal wasn’t one of them, though.

“We matched up, made a comeback, and I was pretty disappointed when we let in that next goal,” Risse said. “We lost our momentum.”

The Timberwolves (5-2 overall, 1-0 SFL) will try to continue their momentum Tuesday at Roseville.

The Golden Eagles (4-1, 0-1) can avenge their first loss of the season Tuesday, when Rocklin visits.